DIRECTOR: Min Bahadur Bham
STARRING: Thinley Lhamo, Sonam Topden, Tenzing Dalha, Karma Wangyal Gurung
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 30 minutes
LANGUAGE: Tibetan, Nepali
In a Himalayan polyandrous village in Nepal, newly married and pregnant Pema tries to make the best of her new life. But soon, her first husband Tashi vanishes on the trade route to Lhasa. Accompanied by her monk de facto husband, Karma, she embarks on a journey into the unforgiving wilderness to find him.
***
Directed by Min Bahadur Bham, Shambhala is the first South Asian film to be selected in Berlinale’s competition lineup after three decades, where it had its world premiere. Bham is best known for his feature debut, The Black Hen, which won a prize at Venice Critics’ Week in 2015. He previously directed Bansulli, which was Nepal’s first selection at the Venice Film Festival in 2012. Shambhala was also featured in the Features Section of the Sydney Film Festival and in the Horizon's Section at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. It was also showcased at Piazza Grande in the Locarno Film Festival.
Nepal announced their selection on September 12th. “Masterfully mixing tradition and modernity, Shambhala brings on screen an unknown culture and amazing Himalayan landscape, while at the same time building a strong and modern female lead protagonist,” Best Friend Forever co-founders Martin Gondre and Charles Bin said in a statement. “The film leads the audience to an unexpected journey while building a breathtaking cinematography.”
The film was produced by Bham at Shooney Films and co-produced by Catherine Dussart, who has worked with Rithy Panh and Amos Gitai. Other producers include Verona Meier, Shuk Fong Chong, Zeynep Koray, Justine O. and Bibhakar Sunder Shakya.
Shambhala is a drama and it was filmed in the world’s highest settlement, located between 4,200 to 6,000 meters above sea level in Nepal and Tibet.
To check out all previous submissions for Nepal, click HERE.
STARRING: Thinley Lhamo, Sonam Topden, Tenzing Dalha, Karma Wangyal Gurung
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 30 minutes
LANGUAGE: Tibetan, Nepali
In a Himalayan polyandrous village in Nepal, newly married and pregnant Pema tries to make the best of her new life. But soon, her first husband Tashi vanishes on the trade route to Lhasa. Accompanied by her monk de facto husband, Karma, she embarks on a journey into the unforgiving wilderness to find him.
***
Directed by Min Bahadur Bham, Shambhala is the first South Asian film to be selected in Berlinale’s competition lineup after three decades, where it had its world premiere. Bham is best known for his feature debut, The Black Hen, which won a prize at Venice Critics’ Week in 2015. He previously directed Bansulli, which was Nepal’s first selection at the Venice Film Festival in 2012. Shambhala was also featured in the Features Section of the Sydney Film Festival and in the Horizon's Section at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. It was also showcased at Piazza Grande in the Locarno Film Festival.
Nepal announced their selection on September 12th. “Masterfully mixing tradition and modernity, Shambhala brings on screen an unknown culture and amazing Himalayan landscape, while at the same time building a strong and modern female lead protagonist,” Best Friend Forever co-founders Martin Gondre and Charles Bin said in a statement. “The film leads the audience to an unexpected journey while building a breathtaking cinematography.”
The film was produced by Bham at Shooney Films and co-produced by Catherine Dussart, who has worked with Rithy Panh and Amos Gitai. Other producers include Verona Meier, Shuk Fong Chong, Zeynep Koray, Justine O. and Bibhakar Sunder Shakya.
Shambhala is a drama and it was filmed in the world’s highest settlement, located between 4,200 to 6,000 meters above sea level in Nepal and Tibet.
To check out all previous submissions for Nepal, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“This journey of my life has awakened me.”
Shambhala, the latest feature from Nepalese director Min Bahadur Bham, is a visually stunning and deeply meditative exploration of love, spirituality, and tradition in the heart of the Himalayas. With its breathtaking landscapes and a story steeped in the rich cultural practices of a remote Himalayan village, Shambhala is a film that rewards patience and introspection, taking viewers on both a physical and spiritual journey. At its core, the film follows the journey of a young bride, Pema, as she navigates a polyandrous marriage and the disappearance of her husband, Tashi, but it’s the film’s thoughtful pacing and striking cinematography that truly elevate it.
One of the most captivating aspects of Shambhala is the way it immerses viewers in the daily lives and customs of Pema’s village. Bham masterfully blends ethnographic detail with narrative, allowing us to witness centuries-old rituals and traditions that have remained largely untouched by the modern world. Cinematographer Aziz Zhambakiyiv’s sweeping shots of the Himalayan landscape, from the vast snow-capped mountains to intimate village ceremonies, create a visual experience that feels both timeless and otherworldly. Every frame is crafted with care, turning the natural beauty of the setting into a character of its own, reflecting the film’s themes of isolation and spiritual searching.
The film’s narrative structure may be slow-paced, but it’s this deliberate unfolding that gives Shambhala its contemplative power. Pema’s search for Tashi takes on a metaphorical weight as she embarks on a journey not only to find her missing husband but also to confront her own desires, societal expectations, and inner strength. Bham’s choice to focus on the emotional nuances of Pema’s relationships, particularly with her husband’s brothers, Karma and Dawa, adds layers to the story, showing the complexity of love and duty within the framework of a polyandrous marriage. The subtle chemistry between Pema and Karma, in particular, is beautifully handled, hinting at unspoken feelings while respecting the film’s restrained tone.
What makes Shambhala truly stand out is its underlying feminist message, presented in a way that is both subtle and powerful. Pema is a woman caught between traditional expectations and her own evolving sense of self, and her journey reflects the struggle many women face in patriarchal societies. Despite the challenges she endures, including rumours surrounding her pregnancy, Pema emerges as a quietly defiant figure, navigating societal judgment with grace and resilience. Bham’s portrayal of her strength in the face of adversity is both inspiring and thought-provoking, offering a nuanced commentary on gender and power in a traditional community.
Shambhala is a film that asks viewers to slow down, reflect, and immerse themselves in its world. While it may not follow the conventional rules of dramatic storytelling, its beauty lies in its ability to transport us to a different time and place, where the rhythms of life are dictated by nature and spirituality. For those willing to embrace its Zen-like pacing, the film offers a richly rewarding cinematic experience, combining visual splendour with a deeply human story of love, loss, and self-discovery.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“This journey of my life has awakened me.”
Shambhala, the latest feature from Nepalese director Min Bahadur Bham, is a visually stunning and deeply meditative exploration of love, spirituality, and tradition in the heart of the Himalayas. With its breathtaking landscapes and a story steeped in the rich cultural practices of a remote Himalayan village, Shambhala is a film that rewards patience and introspection, taking viewers on both a physical and spiritual journey. At its core, the film follows the journey of a young bride, Pema, as she navigates a polyandrous marriage and the disappearance of her husband, Tashi, but it’s the film’s thoughtful pacing and striking cinematography that truly elevate it.
One of the most captivating aspects of Shambhala is the way it immerses viewers in the daily lives and customs of Pema’s village. Bham masterfully blends ethnographic detail with narrative, allowing us to witness centuries-old rituals and traditions that have remained largely untouched by the modern world. Cinematographer Aziz Zhambakiyiv’s sweeping shots of the Himalayan landscape, from the vast snow-capped mountains to intimate village ceremonies, create a visual experience that feels both timeless and otherworldly. Every frame is crafted with care, turning the natural beauty of the setting into a character of its own, reflecting the film’s themes of isolation and spiritual searching.
The film’s narrative structure may be slow-paced, but it’s this deliberate unfolding that gives Shambhala its contemplative power. Pema’s search for Tashi takes on a metaphorical weight as she embarks on a journey not only to find her missing husband but also to confront her own desires, societal expectations, and inner strength. Bham’s choice to focus on the emotional nuances of Pema’s relationships, particularly with her husband’s brothers, Karma and Dawa, adds layers to the story, showing the complexity of love and duty within the framework of a polyandrous marriage. The subtle chemistry between Pema and Karma, in particular, is beautifully handled, hinting at unspoken feelings while respecting the film’s restrained tone.
What makes Shambhala truly stand out is its underlying feminist message, presented in a way that is both subtle and powerful. Pema is a woman caught between traditional expectations and her own evolving sense of self, and her journey reflects the struggle many women face in patriarchal societies. Despite the challenges she endures, including rumours surrounding her pregnancy, Pema emerges as a quietly defiant figure, navigating societal judgment with grace and resilience. Bham’s portrayal of her strength in the face of adversity is both inspiring and thought-provoking, offering a nuanced commentary on gender and power in a traditional community.
Shambhala is a film that asks viewers to slow down, reflect, and immerse themselves in its world. While it may not follow the conventional rules of dramatic storytelling, its beauty lies in its ability to transport us to a different time and place, where the rhythms of life are dictated by nature and spirituality. For those willing to embrace its Zen-like pacing, the film offers a richly rewarding cinematic experience, combining visual splendour with a deeply human story of love, loss, and self-discovery.
